As the first truckload of chilies from Kolkata, India was unloaded yesterday morning at the Centenary Farmers’ Market in the capital, vendors were miffed that some chilies were rotten.
There were over 170 sacks of chilies.
Vendors said chilies were stacked on the truck for some days before ferrying it into the country and that is why some chilies rotted. They say earlier they didn’t face such situation.
“Chilies are spoilt, which is why, we disagree with the price the Food Corporation of Bhutan has charged. We have to negotiate with the pricing,” said Dhendup, one of the vendors.
However, the Regional office of Food Corporation of Bhutan clarified that chili is perishable by nature and when it is being transported all the way from Kolkata to Thimphu, it is more challenging.
The Deputy Manager of regional office of FCB, Cheney Dema maintained that some chilies are bound to get damaged since bringing in chilies from Kolkata, a hot place to cold Thimphu is difficult.
FCB sells chilies to vegetable sellers for Nu 35 a kilogram and vendors have to sell chilies to the customers at Nu 50 per kg.
The price of the chilies is being regulated by FCB as they worry vendors might hike the price according to their wish. It is also for the larger benefit of the public, said the FCB.
